Agus *)
The European Union insisted on the death penalty that is still carried by some ASEAN countries, including Indonesia. Death in Indonesia is the heaviest penalty imposed on person as a result of his actions such as narcotics and murders.
EU Ambassador for ASEAN, Fontan Francisco Pardo, explained that the European Union is indeed very critical when it comes to human rights. The European Union also opposes the death penalty by every country, not just Indonesia.
“This is our basic stance. Every year, we go from one country to another just to ask them to do a moratorium on the death penalty, please consider,” Pardo said.
Nevertheless, Pardo stressed that the EU implement a smooth approach. The European Union has always relied on dialogue and discussion to understand the decision of the country.
“We also do not want to do the blacklist because the death penalty is a matter of the rule of law of each country. However, we always thought that the death penalty is not the best way to solve the problem,” said Pardo.
From 10 ASEAN member countries, only two countries that have not adopted the death penalty, that are the Philippines and Cambodia. Meanwhile, Indonesia is still applying the death penalty is often drew criticism from many countries.
In Indonesia there are 120 more are awaiting execution on death row because of tangled case of narcotics to murder.
Late last October, the Attorney General declared the execution of death row inmate to be a priority for 2015, not in the near future.
“In the near future, the Attorney General first economic boost, but that does not mean the death penalty is not a priority,” said Head of Information Law of the Attorney General of Indonesia, Amir Yanto.
Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security, LuhutBinsarPanjaitan, stated that the execution will be done if the Indonesian economy improves.
However, Luhut ensure that the Indonesian government’s decision to not carry out executions was not a moratorium or delay.
“No there will be no death penalty. Needless to [called moratorium]. Currently the Indonesian government has not been in a position to carry out executions because they focus on economic affairs, “said Luhut November last year.
*) The Author is Brunei Contributor